Ricardo Lockette Sets Big Goals

Ricardo Lockette has set big goals for the 2013 season.

At 6-foot-2, 211 pounds, Ricardo Lockette is the tallest wide receiver on the San Francisco 49ers roster.

The former collegiate track star might also be the fastest receiver of the bunch.

Lockette, an undrafted free agent, who signed with San Francisco’s practice squad last September, is looking to make a case to join the team’s 53-man squad in 2013.

It also helps that Lockette has been roommates with starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick ever since he joined the 49ers.

The two formed a tight bond immediately. They also trained together this offseason in Lockette’s home state of Georgia. The quarterback-receiver roommates trained at Competitive Edge Sports training facility in Atlanta.

“We had fun,” explained Lockette, the wide receiver who signed a future/reserve contract with the 49ers at the start of the 2013 offseason. “We worked hard, we played hard. I introduced him to my friends and where I’m from. We just got more of an understanding of each other.”

Lockette attended Fort Valley State and in 2008 won the NCAA’s Division II track and field national title in the 200 meter race. The wide receiver’s sprinting background has been beneficial to Kaepernick. Both players pushed each other to become faster in their offseason training sessions, ones that included appearances from 49ers teammates A.J. Jenkins and Chad Hall.

In regards to Kaepernick, Lockette sees potential for the dual-threat quarterback to play even quicker in 2013.

“Kap’s naturally fast,” Lockette began, “once you get the mechanics down, it makes you three times faster.”

Speed was an emphasis of their training, but the same focus was put on getting stronger and getting timing down on route concepts in San Francisco’s offensive arsenal.

The same commitment to work has traveled with Lockette from Georgia to California. The 49ers continue “Football School” workouts in Santa Clara and Lockette continues to push himself each day.

“I’m still learning,” Lockette noted. “I’m learning all the concepts, it’s just like school, but you have to do it with the best athletes in the world. You’re doing it for a Super Bowl-caliber team.”

Lockette feels more comfortable in his second year in Greg Roman’s offensive system. Lockette played in two games for the Seattle Seahawks in 2011, catching a 44-yard pass against the 49ers and a 61-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in his only NFL action.

Lockette, however, wants the game experience to increase in 2013. His goal is to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Lockette’s big-play ability shined on the practice fields last season as a scout team receiver. It was even more impressive considering his solid play came against San Francisco’s respected defense.

However, being a known friend and trusted agent on the practice squad isn’t the final goal for Lockette.

“That’s what I want to be for the team this year,” he said. “I just want to be the best I can be.”

So while Jim Harbaugh has previously mentioned Lockette’s name as a player he’s intrigued to see in training camp this offseason, Lockette only looks at the comment as further motivation.

“I think everything happens for a reason,” the wide receiver said. “I’m happy to be here, happy to be a part of this team. I always wanted to be a part of a big organization.”

It’s even more special considering Lockette’s father was a big fan of the 49ers.

“I think everybody’s placed in each position to do the best they can and I’m here for a reason and hopefully my reason is to help this team get a Super Bowl,” the wideout said. “I’m focused on getting us to that goal.”

Lockette will continue to study the playbook and train tirelessly as he looks to carve out a greater role in 2013. Competition will be high across the board on both sides of the ball, but Lockette is just fine with that.

Lockette is also keeping a busy calendar along with his roommate, who seems to be downplaying his recent stardom coming off a Super Bowl appearance.

“Kap keeps a very small circle,” said Lockette, one of the closest players to the 49ers quarterback. “It’s the same people that have been around him.

“Kap is still in the place where he doesn’t see himself as a star. He’ll be like, ‘let’s go the mall, maybe they won’t notice me if I put my hat on.’

“He’s still the same person, he doesn’t look at himself like that.”

Lockette continues to study with Kaepernick long after their work finishes at voluntary offseason sessions.

“We have things to do,” the wide receiver explained. “Right now, it’s on the go 24-7.”